Council approved the conceptual designs for the ecovillage project at the town council meeting on Feb. 11.
The project will be built on the 10-acre Town-owned lands in the D’Arcy neighbourhood, and is currently being referred to as the “Homestead” project. The ecovillage will provide 42 homes for rent or purchase.
The conceptual designs include 7.2 acres for community amenities that would be phased in overtime, such as community buildings, park space, trails, an amphitheater, a commercial greenhouse and community gardens. The ecovillage will sit on the remaining 2.8 acres.
“The vision for the Homestead project provides Okotoks the opportunity to model environmental excellence and sustainable urban design, which aligns well with council’s strategic priorities,” said Mayor Bill Robertson. “The public spaces are designed to become focal points of community gathering that build social connections, while the ecovillage will increase the diversity of housing options for Okotoks.”
The estimated cost for the entire project, including the community amenities for the greater Okotoks public, is $17.92 million. The ecovillage itself, as the first phase of construction, will cost $7.02 million, with $4.4 million (60 per cent) being covered by external contributions. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Innovation Fund will be providing partial funding through an agreement with Realize Communities.
The Town will be providing the land and $2.62 million in infrastructure for the ecovillage.
“The Homestead project will create spaces that allow all Okotoks’ residents to build social connections while also incorporating innovative environmental elements,” said Dawn Smith, environment and sustainability manager. “The goal is to honour this area’s rich cultural history and create public spaces that benefit both the village residents and the larger Okotoks’ community.”
Design elements for the village and the community buildings were modified to reflect the culture of the area, such as the homes being designed to resemble cottages and the windmill that will power the winter garden building will be a historical reference to the site’s original water-pumping windmill, said Thomas Grenier, owner of Vagabond Tiny Houses, at the meeting.
Proposed rent for the units at the time of the council meeting ranged from $760 to $1,150, while homes for purchase are between $85,000-$120,000. Grenier stressed that these prices may change depending on community feedback and need, but are serving currently as comparables.
"The intent is for this community to thrive in 20 years' time, not just to be a nice initial effort in affordable housing," said Grenier of his vision for the community. He emphasized his intent to work with the Town to make the Homestead project sustainable and a benefit to the community long-term.
At the council meeting, administration was directed to act as the land developer for the project and to begin land lease negotiations with Realize Communities, as the builder and administrator of the ecovillage component.
Created by Vagabond Tiny Homes, Realize Communities is the non-profit organization representing the needs of the ecovillage, such as facilities upkeep, and seasonal maintenance. Realize Communities is responsible for payment of the land lease, utilities and expenses of the project.
Another non-profit, SageBrush Social, will oversee facility programs and activities, and will represent the needs of the ecovillage community, ensuring positive living.
Council directed that land lease negotiations, to be submitted by April 30, 2019, must include several controls to mitigate the risks and protect the interests of the Town and citizens. Some of these controls include the Town maintaining ownership of the land, guaranteeing affordable housing options are upheld, and ensuring that, should any financial obligations be unmet by the lease, taxpayers will not be responsible.
Further items mentioned for negotiation as part of the land lease agreement was the lease repaying the Town’s initial $2.62 million investment over the term of the lease, proposed by Coun. Tanya Thorn.
All project funding is dependent on successful land lease negotiations. Council will make a final decision once the lease agreement has been proposed. Administration will also prepare a multi-year phased development approach with associated future budget impacts to council as part of the 2020 budget process.
Public participation opportunities will be offered to the community in early March 2019, to obtain feedback on the conceptual designs and costs for the Homestead project.
For more information and to sign up for emails on project updates visit www.okotoks.ca/EcoVillage.
